Shorten backs Weatherill on campaign trail

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has the best vision for the state but faces an "uphill battle" to win Labor a record fifth straight term.

Mr Shorten on Tuesday joined Mr Weatherill for a tour of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute before Mr Weatherill announced a $30 million investment in the facility.

Mr Shorten said Labor governments at the federal and state levels would deliver lower healthcare costs as he also reaffirmed federal Labor's plans to unfreeze Medicare rebates and tackle private health insurance increases.

But he was hesitant to predict Labor would hold government in South Australia at the poll on March 17.

"Of course, it will be up to South Australians but I have to say it's an uphill battle, and I think Jay has actually shown the most policy vision," Mr Shorten said.

But Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said Mr Shorten's visit only served to draw attention to issues with the state's healthcare system.

"[Bill Shorten] should get a briefing. The health system in South Australia is really at the bottom of the pack in terms of performance with massive blowouts in elective surgery waiting times," he said.